Quick Answer: Best overall: Trader Joe's Egg Nog (Daily Meal's #1 of 13). Most consistent: Lactaid Eggnog, top four in three separate tests. For a crowd: Hood Golden (a half gallon for about $6). Dairy-free: Chobani Oat Nog.
Our top picks
Eggnog tests disagree more than most: one site's winner is another's tenth place. So we lined up four tests and favored the nogs that did well in more than one.
Which one should you buy?
All 7 picks
Prices are store listings checked November 2026; supermarket prices vary by store.
Best overall
Trader Joe's Egg Nog
- Ranked
- #1 of 13 at Daily Meal
- Spices
- Nutmeg, vanilla, cinnamon
- Where
- Trader Joe's, seasonal
Why it's here: Daily Meal's winner: creamy without being heavy, with real nutmeg, vanilla and cinnamon flavor that tasted closest to homemade.
Watch out: Seasonal and only at Trader Joe's. Skip the Light version, which placed 8th.
Why we picked it (sources)
Daily Meal's ranking (Daily Meal).
Most consistent
Lactaid Eggnog
- Ranked
- #2 Daily Meal, #4 Tasting Table
- PureWow
- 91/100
- Lactose
- Lactose-free, still real dairy
Why it's here: The only eggnog that placed high in three tests: smooth, creamy and spiced, with no corn syrup. Daily Meal ranked it second overall.
Watch out: Contains artificial colors, and it's dairy: not for vegans or milk allergies.
Why we picked it (sources)
Best for a crowd
Hood Golden Eggnog
- Score
- 94/100 at PureWow
- Size
- Half gallon
- Flavor
- Like melted vanilla ice cream
Why it's here: PureWow's top pick: creamy and custardy, with gentle nutmeg, and a half gallon costs under $6, so it's the one to fill a punch bowl.
Watch out: Daily Meal ranked it 10th: too sweet and short on spice. Dust it with fresh nutmeg.
Why we picked it (sources)
Best for cocktails
Southern Comfort Vanilla Spice Egg Nog
- Ranked
- #3 of 13 at Daily Meal
- Score
- 90/100 at PureWow
- Alcohol
- None (mix your own)
Why it's here: Thick, silky and sweet with vanilla and nutmeg; the extra sweetness smooths out whiskey, rum or brandy in a spiked nog.
Watch out: Tasting Table ranked it 10th for corn syrup and artificial flavors.
Why we picked it (sources)
Best organic
GreenWise Organic Eggnog (Publix)
- Ranked
- #1 of 13 at Tasting Table
- Made with
- Organic milk and egg yolks
- Where
- Publix
Why it's here: Tasting Table's winner: homemade-thick, naturally creamy white, and not overloaded with cinnamon or nutmeg. Southern Living's editors also picked Publix's original eggnog.
Watch out: Publix stores only, mostly in the Southeast.
Why we picked it (sources)
Best splurge
Ronnybrook Egg Nog
- Score
- 93/100 at PureWow
- From
- Hudson Valley dairy
- Where
- Whole Foods
Why it's here: The richest, creamiest nog in PureWow's test, with visible nutmeg and a shorter ingredient list than the big brands.
Watch out: Small bottle for the price, and limited distribution.
Why we picked it (sources)
Best dairy-free
Chobani Oat Nog
- Ranked
- #3 of 13 at Tasting Table
- Score
- 91/100 at PureWow
- Free of
- Dairy, eggs, nuts
Why it's here: Creamy, lightly spiced and nut-free; Tasting Table said even dairy drinkers might buy it again.
Watch out: Thinner than real eggnog and tastes a little like sweet oatmeal.
Why we picked it (sources)
How to serve eggnog at a holiday party
- Serve it very cold in small glasses or punch cups; eggnog is rich, so 4 oz is a serving.
- Grate fresh nutmeg over the top. It fixes the flat, sweet nogs instantly.
- Spiked: about 1 part bourbon, dark rum or brandy to 4 parts nog. Label it so kids and non-drinkers can tell.
- Next to it, set out a dessert board: shortbread, gingerbread, panettone, candied pecans, dark chocolate and clementines.
- For a crowd of 12, plan on 2 quarts, or a half gallon plus a dairy-free quart.
- Keep it cold: set the bowl in a larger bowl of ice, and don't leave dairy out more than 2 hours.
Build the board: the best store-bought Christmas cookies, the best panettone and the best hot cocoa mix.
Eggnog questions
What is the best store-bought eggnog?
Trader Joe's Egg Nog topped Daily Meal's 13-brand test. Lactaid was the most consistent, placing high in three tests.
What's the best eggnog for spiking?
Southern Comfort Vanilla Spice: thick and sweet enough to balance bourbon, rum or brandy.
What's the best dairy-free eggnog?
Chobani Oat Nog. It's also nut-free, unlike almond and cashew nogs.
How much eggnog do I need for a party?
About 4 oz per person; 2 quarts covers about 12 to 16 guests.
What goes with eggnog?
Shortbread, gingerbread, panettone, candied pecans and clementines.
How we picked these, and sources
We compared four published taste tests (Daily Meal, Tasting Table, PureWow and Southern Living) and favored eggnogs that did well in more than one. Most tests are from 2022 and 2023; eggnog recipes change little year to year, but check labels. Checked November 3, 2026.
- Daily Meal: we tasted and ranked 13 store-bought eggnogs (Dec 2023)
- Tasting Table: 13 store-bought eggnog brands, ranked (Dec 2023)
- PureWow: the best eggnog, according to our taste test
- Southern Living: we tried 8 store-bought eggnogs (via AOL)
For a full holiday spread, see our Christmas charcuterie board. Every guide is on our charcuterie buying guides page.
